DU hockey: parallel to 2004 team

After DU captured the first of its back-to-back NCAA crowns in 2004, the Pioneers pointed to the turning point of the season — a 1-1 tie at North Dakota in late January.

They entered a two-game series with the then-No. 1 Sioux 15-9-4, got smoked 6-1 in the opener but played extremely well in the finale to salvage a point.

This year, DU entered Grand Forks last weekend 15-6-3, got hammered 8-3 in the opener before playing extremely well in the finale, a 2-2 tie on Saturday.

A tie on the road — particularly North Dakota — is typically a good result, and I suspect the Pioneers will build off what they did Saturday.

In 2004, DU left Grand Forks and went on an eight-game unbeaten streak (7-0-1) to conclude the regular season, then 4-2 in the playoffs, including 4-0 in the NCAA Tournament.

Granted, tying the stacked ’04 UND team at this point in the season in Grand Forks was a bigger deal, considering the Sioux went into last weekend’s series ranked No. 15, but today’s Sioux are red hot, and for an opponent to play well in that kind of atmosphere is a huge hurdle to overcome.

If the Pioneers capture their eighth NCAA championship in April, I’m willing to bet the guys will say last Saturday’s 2-2 tie was the turning point. We’ll see.

For now, the only thing on the Pios’ minds is Alaska-Anchorage, a must-have four points this weekend at Magness Arena. After that, DU has five consecutive road games (at Duluth twice, at CC and at Wisconsin twice), before finishing with three home games (St. Cloud State twice and CC).

If the Pios sweep UAA this weekend, then finish 5-3 or better and get to the WCHA Final Five, they likely will have an NCAA Tournament at-large berth locked up … and expecting the return of standout center Tyler Bozak.

Mike, I don’t see a post covering Gwozdecky’s suspension for illegally communicating with the team from the pressbox after being ejected from last week’s game against the Sioux. Can you provide more information about that? Thanks.

Dan

Mike, I don’t see a post covering Gwozdecky’s suspension for illegally communicating with the team from the pressbox after being ejected from last week’s game against the Sioux. Can you provide more information about that? Thanks.

UND in SLP

This is a great post! That’s an interesting corollary between the two Denver teams. We’ll see what happens, and getting Bozak back would be huge for DU.

UND in SLP

This is a great post! That’s an interesting corollary between the two Denver teams. We’ll see what happens, and getting Bozak back would be huge for DU.

BiB

Mike,

I enjoy reading your DU hockey stuff both in the Post and here on your blog. General question/gripe: DU hockey is far and away the best major college major sport team going in the area right now. Why doesn’t the Post play them up more in comparison to dreadful programs like our major college basketball teams in the area?

Keep up the good work. I think it is fantastic what the Pioneers have done over that past several years.

BiB

Mike,

I enjoy reading your DU hockey stuff both in the Post and here on your blog. General question/gripe: DU hockey is far and away the best major college major sport team going in the area right now. Why doesn’t the Post play them up more in comparison to dreadful programs like our major college basketball teams in the area?

Keep up the good work. I think it is fantastic what the Pioneers have done over that past several years.